Tent structure



3511. 2, 4 T J. w. DIXON 85,6 9

TENT STRUCTURE Filed April 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g g ".10 n 1/ o .9 .9 g 1 4 J 31 INVENTOR.

Jam 2, 1940;

J. w. DIXON 2,185,629

TENT STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25 1956 (70672 71. $2 7v 'a z INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 1940 v UNITED? STATE-s gram OFFICE TENT STRUCTURE. John W. Dixon, Waco, Tex. Application April 25, 1936, Serial Norman 2 Claims. (01. 135-4) This invention relates to tents and it has par- Figure 5"shows atent leg constructed accordticular reference to the structure of the supports ing to the invention in folded position, and and fabric covering for tents,- especially those Figure 6 isa -detail-perspective view of a leg:

employedtfor funerals and the' likefand the rest or 'foot'with anchor.

6 method of erecting the same. Figure '7 is a fragmentary viewof a tentcon- 5 One of the principal objects of the invention is structed according to the present invention withto provide in a tent, a main supporting strucportions of the cover broken away to reveal parts ture comprised principally of two major elements, of the supporting structure. each supporting a side of the cover or tent and. Figure 8 is'afragmntary view of the corner' 1 consisting of a leg and 'a rafter hinged to'the of the tent showing the elements-by whichthe 10 top of the leg. The invention affordsspecifically cover insecuredto the 'supportingstructure and such an :element as set forth but capable of col-- I by which the structure is guyed to the ground.

lapsibility whereby it"rnay be confined in a space Figure 9 is a transversesection through one sufficiently small as to enable it 'to' be carried as of the tent posts on lines 9-9- on figure '7; part of the burial equipmentin a hearse or like Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the-means 5 vehicle. by which the sidewalls-of the t'ent' are suspended Another object of the invention is to provide fro'm'the cover, and a foldable tent leg, a support and-anchor, in ad- Figure 11 isafragmentary view-of the apex of dition to a connecting means to join two of the the top of the tent showing the means for conlegs to define a securing means for the apex or necting thereto thereof supporting structure. 20

ridge-rail, depending; upon the style of tent de- Continuing with a more detailed description sired. of the drawings, reference is primarily made to The present invention isan improvement" upon Figure l in which i designates the corner supthe structure described in Letters Patent #1969,- portsfor the cover'orcanopy 2. As many of these fific issued' jointly tothe applicant and Paul A. posts'as'required may be used to construct tents 25 Filer, Aug-7, 1934.- of different styles and for different-uses. Each Another object of the invention-is to provide post has-a pin 3- in itsupper end which is recertain improvementsina tent covering, the latceived by a ring or loop terminus 3d of the reter' having provisions in the nature of straps, inforc-ing member 4 of the canopy which member.

snaps and-webbing co-operating with the ele- I prefer to be of a webbing or other material mentsof the supporting structure in'such manner having proper strength and which will have the as to reduce to a minimum the amount of time same degree of expansion and contraction as the and effort ordinarily required to erect a tent of canvas cover during.atmospheric,variations. conventional construction. To allow-for ready movement for perpendicu- Still another object of the invention is to prolar' aligning of thelegs l, and to provide an an- 35 videan improved method of erecting a tent or chor therefor, members 5 such as shown in detail temporary shelter, the steps comprising, first; in in Figure 6 are employed. These members'or feet securing to the cover elements of the supporting are comprised of substantially square metal structure, then in progressively raising to upplates whose corners are turned'upward topre- 40 right position the supporting elements of the vent .them from interfering with-sliding move- 40 cover and finally in securing the elements against mentover the ground.- A collar 6 is'affixed cenrelative displacement. trally to theplateto receive the leg I and an With the foregoing objects as paramount, the aperture is provided in the plate to receive an invention has-particular reference to-its salient anchor stake l. v e

features of construction and arrangement of Guyropes 8 are operably connected to the pins 45 parts and to the method set forth which will be- 3 ofth'e legs I as by loop or terminus 3a-for concome manifest as the description proceeds, taken venience, and to stakes 9 driven in the earth. in connection with the accompanying drawings, The reinforcing members 4 extend to the apex wherein, Figure l is a perspective view of a tent, or ridge-rail of the structure, as well as about g 60 with portions broken away to show'the invention. its edges, thus defining a supporting or 'reinforc J FigureZ is' a view of the invention per se in ing structure for the cover.

elevation, broken to show'extension. One of the objects of this-particular type of Figure 3 is a detail View of the connecting construction, as set forth in the above identified member for the tent legs, partly broken away. patent, is to-eliminat'e the necessity for a center Figuredisa-detailview ofthe hinge: pole; This poleor-"other conventionalsupport- 35 ing means for the tent is of great annoyance when a tent is used for cemeteries as a shelter for funerals. It has been found that more extensive use of the tent may be had with greater convenience in handling by providing forfoldability of elements of the supporting structure with complementary parts cooperating to insure proper rigidity in use and compactness when folded.

Accordingly the invention comprising the legs II], the lower ends resting in members 5 and having their upper ends angularly cut as at a, to correspond with the similarly shaped end of the section b of the rafter H. section b and leg i6 is a hinge of peculiar design, shown particularly in Figure 2. The strap l2 of the hinge is bolted to the leg Ill and the companion part of the hinge is secured to the rafter section b. This part of the hinge is comprised of plates l3, affixed on either side of the section I), each provided with a flange c. Apertures in these flanges register with the loop of hinge plate l2 to receive a pintle M. Thus the hingereinforces, by virtue of the overreaching flanges c, the hinged elements. In a similar manner, the section b of the rib II is secured to an extension section 11. The ends are contiguous at right angles with respect to their longitudinal axis and the hinge plate 15 is aflixed to the section 11, while the plates it are bolted on either side of section b. The flanges e of the plates [8 are apertured to receive a pintle [1.

Section (1 is shaped into a cylindrical pin Hi to be received in the tubular arm IQ of the A-shaped connecting member l9. This pin may be reinforced by means of a metal ferrule or similar device l8a. This member is comprised in the present case, of a length or tubular material, flattened intermediate its ends and bent in U-shape at f, (Fig. 3). Extending upward from this bend is a pin 20, which protrudes through a suitably reinforced opening in the cover 2 of the tent, which opening preferably provides termini for members 4. A bar 2| reinforces the member i9 and the arrangement assembled afiords a rigid support for the sides and roof of the tent. A shoulder portion 28a holds the tent cover away from the rafter preventing friction and wear between these elements which greatly prolongs the life of the tent cover. Other reinforcing means includes the chain 22 which extends from one section b to the other (Fig. l) and when the assemblies are in folded position the chain may be conveniently wound about the elements in the manner shown in Figure 5. In Figures 7 to 11 inclusive is'shown the manner and method of securing the top and sides of the tent to the supporting structure just described. In this connection, reference is primarily made to Figure 7 in which is shown the cover or canopy 2 having webbing or reinforcing member same as 4 but here indicated as 23 about the edges or eaves of the tent ordinarily overlapped by skirt parting or border 24. A cord' 25 Connecting rafter a strap from the reinforcement of the aperture 28 serves as a means of securement for each of the several guy ropes 8, (which latter may'directly connect with aperture 28 if preferred), while the snap 30 engages the ring 3!, (Figures 2 and 5) securedto each of the tent legs it, thus to hold the cover in fixed relation to the supporting structure. Corner posts l may also be provided with rings 3! for receiving snaps 30.

The Walls 26 of the tent are provided with straps 32 (Figures 7 and 9). One wall is wrapped partially around a leg I of. the tent and a contiguous wall embraces both the leg I and the portion of the adjacent wall surrounding the leg. Straps 32 are snapped into position to hold the edges of the wall sections in this relative position after being first passed through suitable aper- 2, the tent may be erected, on'a windy day without a great amount of trouble. 1

It is apparent from the foregoing. that'atent that may be folded into a compact bundle is provided of a length no greater than the length of the legs I of the tent.

Such compactness enables one to place the tent in a container capable of being carried in hearse or like vehicle.

One of the novel characteristics of this tent structure is that one man is enabled to erect a tent of considerable proportions, even in rough weather, in a very short time, which he may proceed to do in the following manner. Stakes for the guy ropes are driven with proper relation to the site on which the tent is to be erected. A

corner of the tent is so positioned as to receive the contact of any breeze prevailing at the time it is unrolled and the proper lengths of corresponding guy ropes are secured to the corner stakes, the spike extension 3 of a corner post ispassed through the reinforced rings of the canopy 2 and snap member 30 may be engaged with ring member 3! on the post where the latter are employed. The next and succeeding corners of the tent are in like manner secured to the stakes, and

the shoe or plate placed underthe first corner post which latter then ismoved into upright position followed by the other corner posts. The. guy ropes areadjusted as required to effect the; proper tension on the eaves of the tent, the apex I of which will then be swinging downwardly,

whereupon the operator brings the A-shaped member l9 into position and passes its pin20 through ring member 3a and passes strap 33 through opening in the A -shaped.membe r which is then buckled. Sections 38 offolding supporte. ing ribs ll having been inserted in the .ends of the A-shaped member andchain 22 joined-so as 3 to effect-a proper relation. of. the. folding ribs and relieve them of undue spreading strain ;un-

der the working load. Theoperator then passes pin 3 of one ofthe legs through aperture ,28 of ring 3a of the eave of the tent and secures snap 3!] in ring 3! ofthe section 10 of the leg which latter is presently to be brought into upright po-.

The guy ropes at these pointsmay 109;;

secured, to the tent and the stakes at any con-. venient time. but are brought; underproper tension upon erection to the vertical of members [0.

sition.

The complementary upright section In of the folding rafter structure is next similarly brought into operative position and is followed in like manner by other of the folding rafter members.

Thus the erection of the tent is readily and safely accomplished by one man. Dismantling of the tent may readily be effected by a reversal of the v foregoing procedure.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable, of considerable modification and such modification as is considered Within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1. In a tent supporting structure, a pair of legs each having a rafter joined end to end therewith at an angle thereto, each rafter in sections and having their upper ends free, the upper end of.

each leg and the contiguous end of a respective rafter being bevelled and hinged together,'the said sections of each rafter being also hinged together whereby they are foldably related and foldable with respect to said leg, means receivable by the free ends of said rafters to provide'a peaksupport for said tent.

2. In a tent supporting structure, a pair of legs each having a rafter joined end to end therewith at an angle thereto, each rafter in sections and having their upper ends free, the upper end of each leg and the contiguous end of a respective rafter being bevelled and hinged together, the said sections of each rafter being also hinged together whereby they are foldably related and foldable with respect to said leg, means receivable by the free ends of said rafters to provide a peak support for said tent and guy lines supporting the said legs I JOHN W. DIXON. 

